2013 NFL Mock Draft 12-18-12

Find out who’s going to make the transition from Saturdays to Sundays with our picks below. We know the NFL mock draft is long so there’s plenty of eye candy pictures and relevant, fun links to check out as you scroll through it. Team needs were taken account into this mock and the order was determined by looking at recent NFL power rankings

The Chiefs are a complete mess; especially at QB. Matt Cassel was a flop and Brady Quinn will never amount to anything. Smith got off to a ridiculous start this past season.

While leading his team to their inaugural Big 12 Conference victory, the senior was nearly unstoppable completing 45-of-51 passes and setting a new school record with 14 straight completions at one point. Smith finished the game with more touchdowns than incomplete passes, and he now leads all NCAA Division I FBS quarterbacks with 20 touchdowns and no interceptions on the year.

“He’s really amazing,” West Virginia quarterbacks coach Jake Spavital said of Smith. “He is just so competitive.”

“I don’t know that there’s a defensive player in the country who has made more game-changing plays for his team than Jarvis Jones,
who rushes the passer, covers receivers and stops the run. He’s one of the best college linebackers I’ve seen in a long, long time.”
–Mark Schlabach, ESPN, espn.com

3. Oakland,Star Lotulelei, NT, Utah

Star lives up to his name as he’s been dominating opposing offenses this season in the Pac 12. The Raiders run defense is absolutely horrid, so they can use a run-stuffer.

4. Arizona, Matt Barkley, QB, USC

Barkley is the absolute prototypical size for a NFL QB (6-2, 220). But man did he make a mistake coming back for his senior year (or did he?) Barkley’s team flopped horrendously and he himself injured his shoulder. His stock plummeted; until…the fact that all QBs go over-drafted every year and Zona is desperate at the position. Larry Fitzgerald must be crying for Kurt Warner to come out of retirement. Kevin Kolb is never healthy and not that good when he is. John Skelton is to quarterbacking what Tim Beckman is to coaching. And Ryan Lindley is even worse. All adds up to Barkley going way higher than he should.

· Became 2nd Notre Dame player to ever record at least 100 tackles for 3 consecutive seasons

· On pace to become 3rd Notre Dame player to lead team in tackles for 3 straight seasons

· No FBS linebacker has recorded more interceptions in a season since at least 2000

· Only 1 player in the FBS has forced more turnovers this year than Te’o

His defensive coordinator Bob Diaco described him thusly:

“He’s definitely in the top cut of maturity. He’s just a mature person with a big heart. Always in service, in service to the student body, his teammates, his coaches, helping out his buddies. So when you factor that with his tangible skill set on the field, that’s really a special blend.”

The Bills are going nowhere with Ryan Fitzpatrick and they know it. Time for change, even if this is a MASSIVE STRETCH, Wilson going this high. I wonder if Wilson knew Jessica Dorrell when he was at Arkansas? For more pics of Jessica Dorrell

7. Philadelphia,Luke Joeckel, OT, Texas A&M

So much for the “dream team.” Building a fantasy football team just doesn’t work. The Eagles need to blow things up, and get better protection for whomever will be under center next season. Joeckel came out of nowhere to become a blue chip prospect.

Part of what makes these o linemen from the league so tough is who they’re constantly facing off with- great defensive lines, Whether in practice scrimmaging or in game, so many linemen are practicing their craft vs strong defensive lines.

“the Big Ten is great for defensive lines and I think one of the the best defensive lines is the one we have at Michigan. I think Craig Roh is an incredible athlete and Will Campbell just transformed everything about him, it’s incredible,” Lewan said.

Johnny Manziel gets all the publicity, but Moore’s been a major force for the Aggies all year. The Jets have needs all over, so why not take a prospect who can play multiple positions?

10. Detroit Lions, DeMarcus Milliner, CB, Alabama

What happened to the Lions this year? After the breakthrough in 2011, they’re back to their losing ways. A lot of that is due to their defensive back seven, which is lacking in depth. Bama’s D has been the best in the nation, and Milliner is the best DB they have. Go here for the Alabama cheerleader photo gallery

11. Miami,Chance Warmack, G, Alabama

The Dolphins need better protection for Ryan Tannehill, which they’re going with as their franchise QB. Warmack was dominant for Bama this year and one of the biggest big men in college football. Go here for the Alabama cheerleader photo gallery

The Charger front seven is aging and will need to make some infusions of youth.

Hankins, who is 20, appeared in 38 games the past three years and started every game in 2011 and 2012 – 25 total. He was fourth on the team in tackles in 2011 with 67 stops, including 11 tackles-for-loss (-24 yards), and this past season he ranked fifth with 55 tackles, including 4.0 TFLs (-22). Go here for more on Hankins

13. Cleveland Browns,Bjoern Werner, DE/OLB, Florida State

Werner is a tremendous value pick here for the Brownies, and they’ll find a spot for him in Cleveland

14. St. Louis Rams, Jonathan Cooper, G/C, North Carolina

Rams need to find a way to keep Sam Bradford upright. Cooper will help make his pass protection seem less like a mosh pit.

15. Tampa Bay,Johnathan Banks, CB, Mississippi State

Banks is a solid, fast cover corner going to a place where there aren’t many. Since they parted ways with Aqib Talib depth has been lacking at the position.

His former coach Danny Hope described what makes Short so special on conference call.

“He really changes the game from the defensive tackle position,” Hope said.

“He could really be a dominant player on a national level. He’s a 325, 330 pound tackle with a special athletic ability, so the better he gets the better we’re going to get.”

Short was voted co-captain by his teammates in 2011 following spring drills. In 2010 he was second team All-Big Ten after finishing fourth in the Big Ten in both sacks (6.0) and tackles for loss (12.5). He led Purdue with eight passes broken up, and during the course of the season he blocked an extra point and a field goal.

This year he was projected to be a third round pick in the draft, but decided to come back and increase his stock.

It seems like the Steelers draft a linebacker early in the draft every year doesn’t it? Montgomery was a tour de force during his college career in Baton Rouge. Go here for the LSU cheerleader gallery

18. Chicago Bears, D.J. Fluker, OT, Alabama

The Bears window for a title is now closed. Their defense has aged and their offense is nothing beyond Brandon Marshall. That 7-1 start is ancient history now. They have problems aplenty, but the biggest issue is the OL. Ever since he got here, Jay Cutler has received no protection. Drafting Gabe Carimi proved to be a massive bust. They’ll try to erase that mistake with this pick. Go here for the Alabama cheerleader photo gallery

19. Cincinnati Bengals,Barkevious Mingo, DE/OLB, LSU

With a name like this he has to be a first round pick. Barkevious Mingo sounds like something I would make up. Go here for the LSU cheerleader gallery

20. Minnesota Vikings, Tavon Austin, WR, West Virginia

The Vikings have no passing game at all. It got even worse when Sidney Rice got hurt. So they’ll be desperate to take a WR

21. Dallas, Johnathan Jenkins, NT, Georgia

A tremendous value here, and added depth to the position. Josh Brent won’t be playing for them any time soon, as he’s wanted for vehicular manslaughter and the other starter, Jay Ratliff can’t stay healthy.

Go here to have a look inside the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders locker room

22. St. Louis Rams (from Washington),Terrance Williams, WR, Baylor

Williams had a breakout year following the lead of Kendall Wright. Should translate to the next level too.

Watch as Eifert potentially becomes the go-to guy for the ND offense. Coach Brian Kelly talked about Eifert’s versatility, and what he brings to the table.

“He’s a guy that has to replace the production loss of Michael Floyd,” Kelly told the media following the Blue-Gold game.

“To do that, we have to be able to get him into some favorable positions. Obviously, he’s not going to lock down just at the tight end position. He’s a guy that can play at both a wide receiver. Heck, he could play running back if we need him to. He’s an incredible athlete and a versatile player, so we’ll take advantage of that skill.”

Buckeyes DT John Simon, a future NFL pick, talked about malfeasance and punishment within the Buckeye program at media day

Has Urban Meyer’s reaction to off the field issues been very swift and very clear? What type of message has he sent?
“Coach releases all that gray area, it’s only black and white. He’ll tell you like it is. So that’s how we knew he was going to be when he came in. We just have to make sure that we’re trying our best to stay out of trouble and I realize that things happen and we know that we have to be there for the guys who get in trouble a little bit. Things do happen.”

They don’t have a lot of glaring needs, so I think they’ll go BPA best player available, and make their already strong defense even stronger.

32. New England Patriots, Matt Elam, S, Florida

Can’t tell you how many times I’ve ripped on the Patriots pass defense. They even gave up 300+ yards to freakin Mark Sanchez. They are opportunistic, and get interceptions at the most important times. But that just hides their flaws. They’ve drafted a lot of DBs lately, some of which have flopped, maybe this one won’t.

A Fulbright scholar, published author and MBA, Banks has appeared on live radio all over the world; he’s also a member of the Football Writers Association of America, U.S. Basketball Writers Association, and Society of Professional Journalists. The President of the United States follows him on Twitter (@Paul_M_BanksTSB)You should too.

Comments

The Lions have the 4th or 5th pick in this years draft and that has been true for two weeks. I usually love your draft but have to give you a failing grade until you fix the draft order…They will take Luke when you have it right.